Veterans Day, 2020

[cincibuck]

Can't go to DC as I have for most of the last 20 years, but thinking of 1LT Joseph "Al" Lofton, USMC, KIA, November 10, 1968, I Corps. OSU Class of 1967 and a friend. And Spec 4 Hugh Douglas Knott, Fairmont High School, class of 1961, jr hi basketball teammate, and a good friend.

 

[Taosman]

I'm thinking of my father who survived a German grenade while his 4 friends in that foxhole all died. Remarkably, my father's 3 brothers all came back from the Pacific. One brother lost his mind after his third ship was sunk under him. The horrors that they witnessed are beyond description. I appreciate them and what they were a part of. And I will never take my democracy for granted.

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[The KSB]

In September of 1991 as a nearly brand new private, I hopped on a plane at Hope Air Force Base North Carolina. Almost without thought, right before I entered the plane I looked at the forest that surrounds the flight line and wondered if that would be the last time I saw the United States. I was lucky and returned relatively unscathed. One Soldier in my company didn't make it home. He was my squad leader and one of the kindest men I've ever known. Since that time I've taken more of those flights than I care to think about. Each time I stop to look around and wonder if this is the last time I'll see home. Each time I've made it back and left friends behind. Part of me would like to forget them and leave the pain behind. However, that would mean giving up some of my most cherished memories.

 

[cincibuck]

For you on this day, KSB

Traveling Space Available


We spent the day in the Ramstein terminal,

Retired military, traveling for free, when space is available.


Ten seats to Dover Air Force Base,

We count noses; it looks like at least one of us will get out,


A change appears on the screen,

“9 seats, human remains on board.”


We forget that Dover is the military’s morgue,

The tenth seat is taken by the escort, a solemn but necessary duty


All morning troops in camo lug their duffle bags,

shuffle duty-bound to planes headed East


We watch, silently wish them luck,

Turn back and share stories of the day we left, in camo, flying West


I think back to the sign, “remains on board,”

Remember that day of awakening I experienced


It’s April of 1969, a bright day at Ton So Nhut,

Honor guard in starched fatigues, at attention, colors snapping in the wind


Flag draped caskets are loaded into the belly of a 707,

I watch as they head home.

Cincibuck